Hoops hope for golden ticket

Celtic will be rooting for Barcelona or AC Milan to win the Champions League, as the two European giants could hold the key to whether they go straight into the group stages.

The Bank of Scotland Premier League champions are set to earn entry to next season’s third qualifying round.

But the Hoops have every chance of going straight to the group stage without having to qualify.

Should this year’s Champions League winner also finish in the top two of their national league then they will qualify for next season’s European competition as title-holders and their entry will pass to Celtic.

If the current domestic situation stays the same, and given the four 2005/2006 semi-finalists, Celtic would profit if Barcelona or AC Milan lifted the trophy in Paris on May 17.

Celtic have particular reason for wanting to avoid the qualifiers after crashing out to Artmedia Bratislava this season.

Barcelona are currently 11 points clear of Real Madrid in Spain’s Primera Liga, while AC Milan are nine points adrift of leaders Juventus and two points clear of Inter Milan in Serie A.